Process and apparatus for finishing metal and products resulting therefrom



Jan. 13, 1959 H. A. MEYER 2,367,949

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR FINISHING METAL AND PRODUCTS RESULTINGTHEREFROM Filed Aug. 10, 955 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 m /2 4f /4 fi A f A w r Af PM Z0 22:: zfia a 23 IN VEN TOR.

A Z/VXY A. MEYER Jan. 13, 1959 A. MEYER 2,867,949

. H. PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR FINISHING METAL AND PRODUCTS RESULTINGTHEREFROM Filed Aug. 10, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 fig. 2

INVENTOR. fi E/VAX A, MEYER Jan File

6. Aug. 10, 1955 IN V EN TOR.

770/Q/VE Y 1959 H. A. MEYER 2,867,949

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR FINISHING METAL AND PRODUCTS RESULTINGTHEREFROM Filed Aug. 10, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVEN TOR. flE/VKY 6,MEXEQ PROCESS AND APPARATUS FQR FINISHING AND PR UDUCTS RESULTWG HERE-This invention relatesto the art of metal Working, and more particularlyto a process and apparatus for the treating and finishing of metal rodor wire.

U d States atom;

One object of this invention is to provide a process A and apparatus ofthe above nature for producing a highly polished smooth finish on thesurface of rod, wire, pipe,

wire, which can be readily adjusted to stock of widely varyingdiameters.

Still another object is to provide apparatus which is adaptable for usewith metal rods or wire which may be furnished either in the form ofcoils or in straight lengths of stock.

Still another object is to provide apparatus which is capable of drawingscouring, scoring, polishing, or burnishing continuous lengths of metalrod or wire.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide means whereby metalrod or wire may be provided with a highly polished cylindrical surfacefinish wherein the diameter of the finished product may be controlledwithin extremely close limits.

Still another object is to provide a process and apparatus whereby longlengths of metal stock having irregular variable cross-sectional andaxial dimensions may be continuously treated to provide the stock with auniform cylindrical surface.

Still another object is to provide apparatus capable of continuouslytreating the surface of metal rod or wire stock with abrasive materialin the form of a strip or web, whereby successive portions of thesurface of the stock will be treated by unused portions of abrasivematerial.

Still another object is to provide apparatus employing abrasive stripmaterial formed in a roll wherein successive portions of said strip maybe unrolled and brought into contact with said stock, said contact beingmaintained continuously around said stock.

Yet another object is to provide apparatus capable of supporting anunwinding and taking up roll of abrasive strip material for continuousmovement in a rotary path surrounding a length of stock to be abraded bysaid strip.

A still further object is to provide apparatus capable of supporting apair of strips of abrasive material in roll form for continuous rotarymovement in a circular path surrounding a length of stock the surface ofwhich is to be abraded by said abrasive strip, and wherein successivcportions of unused strip material are brought into contact with thesurface of the stock'during said rotary movement, said apparatusincluding means to hold the ice 2 abrasive strips in contactwithopposite sides of the stock under tension.

Yet another object is to provide a process and apparatus whereby surfaceimperfections in metal rod or Wire may be removed mechanically byscoring and burnishing the cylindrical face thereof.

A still further object is to provide a new and novel article of commercecomprising metal rod or wire having a distinctive surface finish.

A still further object is to provide a device of the above nature whichwill be relatively simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture,easy to install and manipulate, compact, ornamental in appearance, andvery eificient and durable in use.

Since the beginning of the eighteenth century, when continuous rodrolling mills of various types were developed, very little improvement,basically speaking, has been made in the art of making metal rods, andhot rolling is still today a necessary preliminary step in the comscalecomprises three more or less distinct concentric layers, the outer-mostlayer (which is the thickest and most brittle) being composed of ferricoxide (Fe O while the innermost layer generally comprises ferrous oxide(E30), and the intermediate layer being composed of ferric-ferrous oxide(R2 0 outermost layer of scale may be removed by a simple mechanicalprocess ofsubjecting the rodto a bending and twisting operation, whichmay be accomplished by drawing such rod in a zigzag path formed by aseries of concave or V-shaped rollers which are arranged in analternately offset relation to each other.

Some of the intermediate layers of scale is also removed during thisoperation, and this is generally considered to be the cause of spottedrod, after the process of pickling has been completed. .The picklingprocess generally comprises treatment of the rod with a chemicalsolution which dissolves the remaining innermost layer of scale.However, a great deal of difficulty may be experienced in the picklingprocess because of the fact that various alloys and mixtures reactdifferently with any given solution, and" because of the fact that asincreasing amounts of scale are dissolved in the solution, the lattermay become weakened, resulting in non-uniformity of the rod surface.

A further step after pickling is also considered necessary in thepresentday practice of preparing rod for in general, these imperfectionswill not be removed when the rod is drawn through the usual drawing diewhich effects a substantial reduction in diameter. On the contrary, sucha drawing operation will merely serve to elongate a cavity on thesurface, and force deeper into the interior any imperfection lying belowthe surface. Attempts have been made in the past to remove such surfaceimperfections by abrading the surface with Patented Jan. 13, 195% Ingeneral, the

action, and without scraping away the metal.

I have therefore found it advantageous to employ a relatively long stripof flexible material, the surface of which is coated with abrasive grit.

Means have also been provided whereby this strip of of the strip as awhole, so that succeeding lengths of the rod will be actedupon by freshparticles of abrasive grit. i i

, The importance of this invention lies in the fact that the surface ofthe rod may becut or scored by a multiplicity of minute butsharply.definedgrooves which may be controlled to follow a-helicalpattern'along the length of the rod. Furthermore, since the individualgrooves are thus sharply defined, it is-thereafter possible to passthe'rod through a 'burnishing die, which, while notsubstantially'reducing the diameter of the rod will 'be effective tocause the surface metal between these grooves to flow, whereupon thegrooves will be filled in, and a highly polished surface will result.Furthermore, due .to the :fact thatonly the surface material isafiected, .there is only a .slight reduction in the cross-sectionalarea. Moreover, imperfections which have not been removed by theabrasive material, or those .imperfectionswhich lie just below thesurface, will not be forcedtoward the interior of the rod.

While the above statements briefly describe the features of the presentinvention, it should be understood that in actual practice, a number ofvariations of the basic principles thereof may be employed, which willbe explained later in detail.

With these and other objects in view,there .has been illustrated on theaccompanying drawing one form in which the invention may conveniently beembodied in practice.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 represents a diagrammatic view of an arrangement of apparatussuitable for performing the process embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation, partly in cross-section of one form ofrotary abradinghead, employed in the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a front view of the Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the same.

apparatus shown Fig. 5 is a rear view of the same, taken on the line 55of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the feeding mechanism shownon an enlarged scale, taken on the line 66 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view, showing the presser plate mechanism, takenon theline 7-7 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 8 is a cross-section of the presser plate, on a greatly enlargedscale.

In thepractice of the present invention, it has been l0 Referring now tothe drawings in which like reference discovered that an entirely newresult can be achieved numerals denote corresponding parts throughoutthe in the treatment of metal rod, when successive portions severalviews, the numeral 10 indicates a unit for feedof the surface of the rodare brought in contact with ing reel and straightening materialsuchaswire or rod fresh abrasive material which has not been previously stock.The numeral 11 indicates generally a first scorused. Such aconditioncannot be fulfilled by the usual 15 ing and burnishing unit, andadditional scoring and il ding wheel or a conv'entional endless belt,since burnishing units are indicated generally by the numerals shortlyafter such abrasive ,means have first come in 12 and 13. A take up unitis indicated by the numeral contact with thegstock to beabraded, thespaces between 14, and a control unit is indicated at 15.individualparticles .of ,grit become filled withparticles In the normaloperation of this process, wire or red of metal, which. have alreadybeenremoved. Further- 39 stock 16 will be supplied in the forinof a coil .ona more, the individual particles of grit themselves lose standard wire,reel 17. It should be understood that the their sharp edges and becomepartially dulled, with the practice of this inventionis not limited tothe use of result that these abrasive particles no longer cut unirodstock which has previously been subjected to descalformly into thesurface of the metal with a scoring action, ing treatment, but that itis possible to provide a high buttend to merely rub over the surfacewith a polishing polish on so-called green rod which has not undergonetreatment for descaling or .degreasing. In the usual case, where the rodhas first been descaled, the rod stock 16 firstpasses through aconventional ring guide'18 which assists in straightening and steadyingit in its further passage through the apparatus.

The rod 16 then ispulled through a standard drawing die 19 of circularcross-section which reducesthe rod to the desired-diameter, after whichthe rod passes through the first scoring and burnishing unit whichcomprises a series of planetary abrading heads, 2%, v21, 22 and 23,followed by a passage through a jburnishing die 24.

Thereafter, the rod may go through asecond scoring and 'burnishing unit,comprising planetary abrading heads 29a, 21a, 22a and 23a, followed bypassage through a burnishing die 2 5a, and a further passage through athird successive unit including planetary-abrading heads 2%, 21b, 22b,23b, 24b, followed by passage througha final burnishing die 24-12 asmay-be desired,

However, in the case of processing green rod, the stock may be firstpassed through a series-of 'abrading heads, such as 2%, 21, 22 and 23without first-being subjected to a drawing operation,.the'succeedingsteps being similar to'those just described.

. Each of the abrading heads 20, 21, 22, 23 which comprise the firstscoring unit, as well as the abrading heads comprising the successivescoring units are substantially identical in construction.

A rotatable disk shaped member 25 isconcentrically fixed to oneendofahollow shaft 26 which is supported for rotation about a horizontalaxis by a pair of journal members 27, 28 which are supported on a pairof cross members 29 .and 30, respectively, of a frame work 31.

The shaft 26 and the disk shaped member 25 may be driven by any suitablemeans, such as an electric motor 32, connected by V-belts to the pulley34. Extending forwardly from the frontface of the disk member 25 are apair of spindles positioned diametrically across from each other, andequidistant from the central rotating axis of said member 25.

Each of the spindles 35 serves to support a flanged feed spool 36containing arch of unused abrasive tape 37. Provision is also made. of apair. of flanged takeup spools 38 upon which the abrasivetape is woundas it is used. These spools 38. are mounted .on shafts 39 which arejournaled in the disk-shaped member 25 so as to project therethrough andextend outwardly from the rear face thereof.

The shafts39 arealso positioned so as to be diametrically opposite fromeach other and equidistant from the central axis of the disk member 25.

unused tape, and the take-up spools 38 upon which the abrasive tape isgradually vound during the course of operation of the machine, willcounterbalance each other, so that while there will be a change in thedistribution of the weight of the tape as it accumulates on the take-upspools 38, nevertheless the distribution of this weight will always besymmetrical with respect to the rotating axis of the disk member 25.

"Movement of each of the abrasive tapes 37 from the feed spools 36 tothe take-up spools 38 is accomplished by means of a pair of drivingrolls 40 (Fig. 3) which are rotatably journaled on shafts 41 mounted inthe disk shaped member 25 and projecting outwardly from the backthereof.

The cylindrical surface of the driving rolls 4d should be such as toestablish frictional contact with the tapes 37, and such contact may bemaintained by means of guide rollers or idlers 42 and 43. Adjustablemounting plates for such guide rollers are provided, said guide plateshaving pivotal connection with the disk-shaped member 25, at 4-4 and 45,respectively, at one end, and

having a slotted opening at their other end to receive mounting screws46 and 4 7 respectively. This construction will permit adjustment of theguide rollers 42 and 43 with respect to the driving roll 40 by a limitedmovement of said guide rollers about their respective axis 44 and 45 soas to regulate the frictional engagement between the driving roll 4% andthe abrasive tape 37.

A pair of slotted guides 48 are also provided, adjacent to and atopposite sides of a central opening 49 in the disk member 25, throughwhich opening, a wire or rod 16 is moved so as to pass between the twoabrasive tapes 37, during the operation of the machine.

A pair of presser blocks 50 are provided to bear against the back of thetapes 37 to hold them in engagement with the wire or rod 16. Thesepresser blocks are pivotally connected, as at 51, to a pair of bellcrank levers 52 which in turn are pivotally mounted at $3 on a pair ofadjustable mounting blocks 54 (Figs. 2, 3). The mounting blocks 54 areattached to the disk-shaped member 25 by means of screws 55, slots 55aare provided in the mounting blocks 54 through which the screws 55 pass,so as to permit the adjustment of the position of the mounting blocks 54with respect to the central opening 49 whereby the distance between thepresser blocks 50 may be varied in accordance with the size of thematerial being handled by the machine.

The bell crank levers 52 extend rearwardly through openings 5s providedin the disk member 25 and are provided at their extremities withcam-engaging rollers 57, disposed adjacent the inclined surfaces 58 of acam member 59, which is axially movable on the shaft 26, coil springs 60are connected to the crank levers 62 to hold the presser blocks 56) intheir retracted position. Means is also provided for maintainingrelative alignment between the inclined faces 5% and the rollers 57during rotation of the disk member 25, which includes a pair of indexingpins 61, 62, which project forwardly for slidable engagement in suitableopenings 63, 6 provided in a block member 65 attached to the rear faceof the disk 25.

The forward end of one of the indexing pins 61 is provided with aninclined face 66. Projecting through an opening 67, disposed in themember 65 at right angles to and intersecting the opening 63, is a pin68, one end of which is thereby placed in camming engagement with theinclined surface 66. The pin 68 is threadedly connected to one end ofthe slide 69 which is received in the guide members 70. The other end ofthe slide 69 is provided with a pivotally connected pawl 71, which isurged by the spring member 72 into engagement with the teeth of .acircular ratchet member 73 attached to one of the shafts 41. Thearrangement of the teeth on the ratchet 73 6- is such that rotation ofthe shaft 41 will take place only when the slide 69 is moved inwardlytoward the central axis of the disk member 2? under the influence of thespring member 74. Motion thus transmitted to one of the shafts 41 isalso transmitted to the other shaft 41 by means of the chain 75 which isin engagement with the identical sprockets '76 attached to each of theseshafts. The chain 75 also passes over a pair of idler sprockets '77 soas to keep it clear of the mechanism disposed at the center of the disk25. Shafts 41 are also provided with pulleys 78, each of which drives apulley 79 attached to the takeup shafts 39 by means of the frictionalbelt dtl. It will thus be seen that rotation of one of the shafts 41will result in an identical amount of rotation of the other shaft 41through the chain 75, while at the same time, the connection betweenpulleys 78 and 79 through friction belt 80 will also tend to rotate theshafts 39. However, the relationship between the pulleys 78 and 79should be such that the movement imparted to the takeup reels 38 willalways be suflicient to take up the slack in the abrasive tape 37.

As previously mentioned the cam-member 59 is axially movable on theshaft 26. This movement may be controlled by a pair of air cylinders tilmounted on the cross member 29, and having compressed air connections82, 83 at their respective opposite ends. The pistons of the cylinders81 are connected to a cross bar 84, which in turn is connected to thecam member 59 by means of a thrust bearing 85 and an interlockingcircular flange means 86, whereby movement of the cam member 59 in bothdirections is under the positive control of the cross bar 34. j

In Fig. 8 there is shown a detailed cross-sectional view of theconstruction of the presser blocks 5t The main body portion 87 ispreferably formed of metal, whereas the working faces 83 will be formedpreferably of some resilient material such as neoprene, or the like. Acentral longitudinally-extending portion 89 is formed with a generallycylindrical profile, and extending along the middle of this centralportion there is provided a generally V- shaped longitudinally-extendingrecess 9% Oneither side of the central portion 89 are wing portions 91,said wing portions being outwardly and forwardly inclined, so that whenthe presser blocks 56 move toward each other, the initial contactbetween the blocks will take place at the extremity of the wing portions91. Due to the fact that the working faces 88 are made of yieldablematerial, further inward movement of the presser blocks 50 will bepossible, which will consequently result in an outward displacement ofthe extremities of the working faces 88 away from the central portion,the extent of this lateral displacement being dependent upon the forcewhich is exerted upon the presser blocks 50. This outward displacementwill also be aided by the fact that the effects of the longitudinallyextending grooves 90 is to separate each of the wing portions 2 1 intosubstantially independent elements. It should be apparent therefore,that when the presser blocks 5'0 are moved toward each other intoengagement with the abrasive tapes 37, disposed on opposite sides of therod 16, that continued inward pressure exerted upon the presser blocks,and a lateral displacement of the working faces 88 will tend to placethe abrasive tapes under tension which will insure effective engagementbetween the tape and the surface of the stock.

In Fig. 1 there is shown diagrammatically one arrangement whereby acontrol unit, indicated generally at 15, may be employed to control aplurality of abrading heads embodying the present invention. In thisarrangement four double-acting air valves 92, 93, 94, 35 are connectedto a common source of air under pressure 96. The valve 92 is connectedby a suitable conduit means to the air cylinders 81 of the abradingheads 26 249a and 20b, respectively, comprising the first operativeelement of the scoring and burnishing units 11, 12, and Similarly, thevalve 93 is connected by a conduit means 98 to the cylinderslll ofabrading heads 21, 2 1a, and 211: comprising the second operative unitof the respective-scoring and burnishing units ll, 12, and 1-3. In asimilar manner, the double-acting valves 94, d5 are connected by conduitmeans 99 and 1dr": respectively, to the air cylinders 81 ofabrading'heads 22, 22a, and 22b in the one case, and in the other case,to the cylinders 81 of abrading heads 23, 23a, and 23b, respectively.

The valves 92, 93, and QSare of conventional construction havingslidable pistons Nil, 192, ms, ass, respectively which are 'rnovableselectively into one or the other of two positions in order to connectthe source of air pressure 96 to one or the other ofthe air'connections82 and 33 of the cylinders .81. In order to provide for sequentialoperation of the valves 92, 93, 3d, and 95, they maybe convenientlyarranged about a common operating member 3 35, which member may becontinuously or intermittently rotated by means not shown, such as byasynchronous electric motor, or the equivalent. At one point on thecylindrical periphery of the operating member NS there is provided aninwardly directed arouate recess tea. The respectivepistons 101, 102,103 and litl may be appropriately spring biased so that they bearagainst the peripheral surface of the operating member 1435 at all timesduring its rotation. Furthermore, the connections to the valves 2, 93,94, and 95 may be arranged so that as long as their respective pistonsbear against the cylindrical surface of the operating member res, airfrom the source 96 will be connected with the respective air connection93 of each of the respective abrading heads which these valves control.However, as each of the pistons becomes engaged with the arcuate portion1-06 of the operating member the piston will be urged radially inwardlytoward the axis of the member 105, in which position the particularvalve affected will disconnect the source of air 96 from the connection83 and transfer it to the connection 82 of the particular group ofabrading heads which that valve controls. It will therefore be observedthat during rotation of the member ".35 and as long as each of thepistons 101, 102, 103, and are in engagement with the cylindricalsurface of the operating member M5, a connection will be establishedbetween the source of air 96 and the air connection 33 of all of theabrading heads and that under such conditions the respective cam member59 of each head will be disposed in its forward position, and that aseach of'lhe pistons comes to dwell on the arcuate portion 1% aconnection will be established between the source of air 96 and theconnection 82 leading to only one of the. abrading heads of the fourwhich comprise each of the scoring and burnishing units 11, 12 and 13.Therefore, while the cam member 59 of the abrading heads so affected wihthereby be reaiwvardly displaced the remainder of the members 5%. on theother abrading heads will remain in their forward position.

OPERATION The practice of the present invention may be readilyunderstood after the description of the operation of one of the abradingheads has first been given.

To begin with, the abrasive strip or tape 37 is a materialwhich is incommon use today-and is prepared in the'f-orm of a long roll or coil.

Before commencing use of the apparatus a fully wound roll of unusedabrasive strip shouldbe placed on each of the-unwinding spindles 35. Itis important that both of these'rolls contain strips of approximatelyequal length, so that they will counterbalance-each other duringrotation. Each of the strips is then carried over the adjacent guideroller 42., thence through the slotted guides 48 and around the guideroller 43, and finally the ends of the tape will be attached to the hubof take-up spools '38. Each of the guide rollers 42 and 43 may then beshifted by rotation about their respective axes-Maud 45, so as to holdthe respective tapes 3'7 in frictional contact with 8 the driving rolls40. These adjustments having been made, the guide rollers 42 and 43 canbe heldin position by tightening the respective screws 46- and-47.

Air under pressure will then be admitted to the pistons 81 through theair connection 82 so as to position the cam member 59 in its rearwardposition, causing the presser blocks 50 to be retracted by the springmembers 60.

The material 16 to be finished will then be introduced through thecenter of the hollow shaft 26 so as to' project through the opening 49in the disk 25 and pass forwardly thereof between the abrasive strips37.

The next step is to determine the proper position of the mounting blocks50, according to the thickness of the stock 16. i

The blocks should be set so that when the cam member 5 9 is movedforwardly by the release of air from the connection 82, and theadmission of air pressure to the connections 83, the presser blocks 5%willbe moved inwardly to hold each of the abrasive strips-37 infrictional engagement with substantially one half-of the circumferenceof the stock 36.

Preferably the presser blocks 50 should be held together sufficiently tocause lateral deformation of the resilient wing portions of the presserblocks 91 so as to provide tension in the abrasive tapes 37 aspreviously described.

Once the proper position of the mounting blocksfid has been determined,they may be secured in place by means of the screws 55, and it will notthereafter be necessary to change their position unless the apparatusis. to .beused with stock of substantially greater or less diameter thanthat for which the original adjustment has been:made.

, Means should also be provided for imparting continu ous uniform axialmovement to the stock 16.

In the case of a short length of rod it may be either pushed or pulledby a suitable arrangement suchas conventional draw bench. If the stockis furnished in the form er a reel. or if a number of successiveoperations are to be performed on it, it will obviously be preferable toemploy some conventional apparatus to exert a continuous pulling forceon the stock 16.

With the rod 16 in position as described, the electric motor 32 may thenbe energized from a source of current, not shown, to institute rotationof the disk member 25, which rotation will thereafter be maintained moreor less constantly during the operation of the apparatus.

Thereafter, as long as the cam member 59 is in its forward position, asa result of air pressure being supplied to the piston 81 throughconnections 83, the presser blocks 5% will hold the abrasive strip 37 inengagement with the circumferential surface of the stock 16.

if at the same time thestock 16 is subjected to continuous axialmovement, the net result will be that the circumferential surface of therod 16 will become covered with a series of closely spaced spiralgrooves or score marks resulting from the action of sharp surface ofeach of the individual grit particles adhering to the tape 37.

It should be noted at this point that while there is circumferentialmovement of the abrasive grit with respect to the surface of the stocknevertheless a portion of abrasive material which is in contact with thestock will remain unchanged, and therefore the relative position of eachindividual particle of grit will not be altered as long as the presserblocks 5d are holding the tapes 37 in position.

This means that whereas all of the score marks may not be identical incross-sectional configuration and the actual distance between thesemarkings may vary, there will, however, be produced a distinct patternof parallel spiral score marks which could not be accomplished by priorapparatus using grinding wheels or endless belts.

On the other hand, the fact that the individual particles of grit in theabrasive will become worn and lose their sharp edges makes it necessaryto renew the abrasive material after a certain period of contact withthe sur' face of the material 16.

This may be accomplished as a result of a certain sequence of operationswhich is initiated by releasing the air pressure in the connection 83,and introducing compressed air into the connection 82 so that thepistons 81 will move the cross bar 84 away from the surface of the disk25 causing a similar axial movement of cam member 50.

This movement of the cam member 59 will permit the presser blocks 50 tobe withdrawn from the stock under the influence of the springs 60 andwill release the abrasive tapes 37 from engagement with the surface ofsaid stock 16.

In addition the retraction of the presser blocks 50, the rearwardmovement of cam member 59 will also cause a partial withdrawal of theindexing pin 61 from its opening 63 in the member 65.

During the latter portion of this withdrawal, the pin 68 coming incontact with the inclined face 66 of pin 61 will permit the slide 69carrying the pawl 71 to turn the shaft 41 by its engagement with thecircular ratchet '73.

The amount of rotation of shaft 41 can be controlled by adjustment ofthe pin 68, and as previously explained, the consequent rotation of boththe driving rolls 40, due to their interconnection by means of the chain'75 will cause a portion of each of the abrasive strips 37 to be unwoundfrom the spindles 35 and taken up on the take-up spools 38. Immediatelythereafter, the air pressure may be released from the connection 82 andswitched to the connection 83 to move the cam member 59 forwardly,causing the presser blocks 50 to re-engage with the unused portion ofeach of these abrasive tapes 37, and to press this fresh portion of thetapes into engagement with the stock 16.

In addition, the forward movement of the cam 59 will again slide theindexing pin 61 forwardly in the opening 63, whereupon the slide 69 willbe forced radially outwardly away from the member 65, carrying the pawl71 over one or more teeth of the circular ratchet '73 in which positionit will be prepared to institute further rotation of shaft 41 and thefeeding of additional unused abrasive tape 37, whenever the cam member59 is rearwardly moved during the succeeding cycle of operation.

In Fig. 1 there has been illustrated one form of ma chinery embodyingthe apparatus just described. In this form, it has been assumed that therod on the reel 17 has first been descaled and degreased, in which caseit will first be passed through a die 19.

On the other hand, if the rod 16 were green stock which had not beendescaled, it would pass directly to the first scoring and burnishingunit indicated by the numeral 11.

For the sake of illustration only, the scoring and burnishing units 11,12, and 13 have been shown as includ ing four abrading heads followed bya burnishing die, but it should be understood that the number ofabrading heads employed in carrying out this process may be varied andthat in certain cases, it is not essential that the stock be drawnthrough a burnishing die, either before or after a surface scoringoperation performed by a rotary abrading head.

In Fig. 1 longitudinal motion will be transmitted to the rod stock 16 bythe takeup unit 14 so that the stock will move through each of thevarious scoring and burnishing units in a lengthwise direction at asubstantially uniform rate of speed.

If the successive abrading heads 20, 21, 22, and 23 are rotated in thesame direction and at the same rate of speed the surface appearance ofthe stock 16 could not readily be distinguished from stock which hadpassed through only a single head. However, for reasons which will beexplained below, it is preferable to alternate the direction of rotationof successive abrading heads and, under certain conditions, it may bedesirable to operate the various heads at different rates of speed.

In any event it has been found in practice that if, for example, theabrading heads 20 and 22 are rotated in a clockwise direction, and theheads 21 and 23 are rotated in a counterclockwise direction, a greateramount of surface metal or scale will be removed from the rod 16 than ifall of the heads 20, 21, 22 and 23 were rotated in the same direction.

This can be best illustrated by reference to the following two tables,the first of which indicates a reduction in diameter of an actual sampleof metal which has been treated by successive heads rotating in oppositedirections. The second table shows the amount of metal removed from asimilar sample treated by the same number of abrading heads, all ofwhich rotated in the same direction.

Table 1 Direction Diameter Reduced Reduction of Rod to Total Reduction0035 Table 2.All heads revolving in same direction Direction DiameterReduced Reduction of Rod to Total reduction 0012 All of these tests weremade with heads rotating at 1600 R. P. M.rod speed 200 F. P. M.airpressure per sq. in. and tape grit #80.

In the foregoing tables, it should also be observed that the type ofabrasive material employed during each pass of the stock through anabrading head was similar with respect to the hardness and size of thegrit particles, but such similarity is of course, not necessary in allcases.

If, for example, the first abrading head 20 were to be provided with anabrasive strip having relatively coarse grit, while a second abradinghead 21 was provided with abrasive strips having a grit particle ofsubstantially smaller size and the abrading heads 20, 21 were to berotated in opposite directions during the axial passage of the stockthrough both of the heads, the result would be to produce an ornamentalpattern of score marks on the surface of the rod resembling amultiplicity of tiny diamond shaped check marks.

This is due to the fact that the grit particles on the second abradinghead being finer than the particles on the first abrading head will notcut as deeply as the particles on the first abrading head, and thereforethe second abrading head will remove only a portion of the metal lyingbetween the individual parallel score marks produced by the firstabrading head, and the helical pattern formed by the second abradinghead would in effect he overlaid on the helical pattern of the firstabrading head, moreover as the rotation of the particles in each casewould be reversed, the spiral grooves of one head would angularlyintersect the spiral grooves formed by the other head. The resultingproduct represents an article of commerce which is new and novel and maybe useful for decorative purposes without further treatment, althoughits appearance can be enhanced if it is given additional finishingtreatment, such as a light chromium plating. Generally speaking, it willbe prefer able, where the purpose of the apparatus is to remove surfaceimperfections, to use the same grade of abrasive 1 1 tape-oneach of theoppositely rotating headssuch as the heads 2d; 21, 22 and 23.

In thiscase, the effect of each of the succeeding abrading'heads will beto remove substantially all of the metal extending inwardlysubstantially to the bottom of the helicalscore marks produced by theprevious abrading head,-in which case only the spiral scoring marks madeby the lastabrading head through which the rod 16 has passed'will bevisible.

Generally'speaking, it is preferable to use abrasive material havinga'coarser'grit when treating stock Whose surface is severely pitted, orupon :which a certain amount of scale remains such as would be the'caseas the rod enters the first scoring and'burnishing unit ll.

It is also preferable,.after the stock has passed through one or more ofthe abrading heads 20, 21, 22, 23 etc. to polish the surface of the'rodby passing it through a burnishing die 24-.-

While there is-no definite line of. demarcation between a burnishing dieand a drawing die,"inasmuch"as both types of die will reduce the crosssectional areaofthe stocl for the purposes of-this inventionitcanbeassumed that a'drawing die is one which elfects a substantial reductionin the cross sectional area, generally'on the order of 30%, in whichcase the stock tends to become plastic throughout its interior resultingin allow of metal and a complete. rearrangement of the structure tendingto embed the surface material, including any imperfections at or nearthe surface, further in towards the interior.

Forthe purpose-of this invention a burnishing die may be considered one,which while producing. a certain amount of reduction in cross-sectionalarea, will not, however, induce a flow of metal in the interior of thestock but will merely cause an axial flow of material near the "surface.The effect of the passage of the rod 16 through burnishing die 24subsequent to treatment by the abrading heads will be to fill in thescore marks which have been-produced and to elongate any surface defectssuch as pit marks or cavities, and to expose such imperfections such asfractures or air holes lying just below the surface-of the rod. Thesurface is thus given a highly polished finishas a result.

If surface-imperfections remain after treatment by one scoring andburnishing unit, it may then be desirable to passthe rod through asecond scoring and burnish-ing unit 12. The arrangement and operation ofsuch a unit will be substantially identical with the first such unit,with theexception that it will generally be preferable to useabrasivetapes in the second group of scoringmachines having a somewhatfiner grit particle size than in the tapes of the :first scoring unit.

After the rodhas been scored by passage through one or more-of theabrading heads 20a, 21a, 22a and 23a, it should be drawn through asecond burnishing die 24a,

again causing a slight axial flow of the surface material which will.fill inzthe score marks produced by the second group. of abradingheads,and resulting in producing a highly polished-finishon the rod.

If the surface just produced is still not sufiici'ently freeofimperfectionsflhe rod may then pass through a third scoring andburnishing unit 13 comprising abrading heads 20b, 21b, 22b, 23b,followed by. passage through a burnishing die 24b.

Theresults of the operation just described will be to produce rod stockhaving uniform circular cross section extending along its entire length,having a surface free from imperfections and of a mirror like smoothnessand havingan internal crystalline structure which is substan tiallyhomogeneous.

inasmuch as this invention is primarily concerned with the treatment ofthe exterior surfaces it will be apparent that tubular materials, suchas conduits or pipes, are equally'susceptible to treatment in accordancewith the present process, or by the machinery and apparatus disclosed inconnection therewith as would solid materials.

Furthermore, while it-is intended that the final-productwill-havetacylindricalexterior surface,--it should beun-' derstood thattheoriginal stock to be treatedmay be of some irregular cross-section,such as oval or even rectangular; in the foregoing description and inthe appended claims, for the sake ofconvenience, the-words rod or wiremaybe used interchangeablyto includeany-and all suchmaterials.

While there has been disclosed in this specification one form in whichthe invention may be embodied, it is to.

be understood that this form is shown for the purposeof illustrationonly and the invention is notlimited to the specific disclosure but maybe modified and embodied in spirit. In short, the invention includes allthe modifications and embodiments coming-within the scope of thefollowing claims.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new andfor which it is desired-to secure-Let- Y ters Patent is:

1. In a device of the character -described,--a rotary various otherequivalent forms without departing from its abrasive head includingapair of spindlesfor supporting unwinding rolls of unused abrasive stripspositioned in diametrically opposed counter balanced relation with rebythe strips-ofeach'unwinding roll will be moved by said driving roll to atakeup roll-in opposite parallelwdiree tions, a pair of oppositelyoppcsed'presserplates rockably mounted on radially adjustably pivotedrocker arms 'to hold said abrasive strips in operable'contact\vith'stochpositioned at the rotary axisof the head, positive-drivemeans to move the driving rolls irr-synchronism; said drive" meansincluding" yieldable-meansto drive the takeup spindles, ratchet meansbiased to move the positive drive means one step instep bystepoperation, anaxially rnova-- ole earn member having a pair-ofcamfacesengageable with said rocker arms to actuate-said presser-plates,said cam member being provided with 'an index pin to position-the camfaces into the rocker arms, said index pin having an inclined end forcamming engagement with said 7 biased ratchet means, whereby axialmovement of the cam member-in one direction'willmove said presser plate't0 ward the stock and will initiate operation of the positive drivemeans, and l'llOVEZl'lGl'll'Of the cam member in the opposite directionwillrelease said presser plate and will permit saidbiased ratchet meansto complete-onestep of said step by-step operation=ofthe-driving-=rolls, and means to move said cam member axially.

2. In a device of the character described, a rotary abrasive headincluding a pair of spindles for supporting a pair of unwinding rolls ofunused-abrasive strips positioned indiametrically'opposed counterbalanced relation with respect to the rotary axis of the head, a pair oftakeup spindles for used portions of the strips positioned indiametrically opposed counterbalanced relation Withrespect to the rotaryaxis of the head, a pair of driving rolls positioned in diametricallyopposed counterbalanced relation, each of said driving rolls beingdisposed between an unwinding spindle and a takeup spindle, an idlerroll disposed on each side of each driving roll to respectively hold aportion of strip from the adjacent unwinding spindle and a portion ofstrip being fed to the adjacent takeup spindle in frictional contactwith each of said driving rolls,

whereby the strip from each unwinding roll will be moved by said drivingroll to a takeup roll in opposite parallel directions, a pair ofoppositely disposed presser blocks rockably mounted on radiallyadjustable pivoted rocker arms to hold said abrasive strips in operativecontact with stock positioned at the rotary axis of the head, positivedrive means to move the driving rolls in synchronism, said drive meansincluding yieldable meant to drive the takeup spindles, ratchet meansbiased to move the positive drive means one step in step-by-stepoperation, an axial camming means engagea'ble with said rocker arm toactuate the pressure blocks, said camming means including a camengageable with said ratchet means to initiate said step-bystepoperation when the pressure blocks are actuated to hold said stripagainst the stock, and to permit the ratchet means to complete one stepof said step by step operation of the driving roll when the pressureblocks are released.

3. In a device of the character described, a rotary abrasive headincluding a pair of spindles for unwinding rolls of unused abrasivestrips positioned in diametrically opposed counterbalanced relation withrespect to the rotary axis of the head, a pair of takeup spindles forused portions of the strips positioned in diametrically opposedcounterbalanced relation with respect to the rotary axis of the head, apair of driving rolls positioned in diametrically opposedcounterbalanced relation, an idler roll disposed on each side of eachdriving roll to respectively hold a portion of strip from the adjacentunwinding spindle and a portion of strip being fed to the adjacenttakeup spindle in frictional contact with each of said driving rolls,whereby the strip from each unwinding roll will be moved by said drivingroll to a takeup roll in opposite parallel directions, a pair ofoppositely disposed presser blocks rockably mounted on radiallyadjustable pivoted rocker arms to hold said abrasive strips in operativecontact with stock positioned at the rotary axis of the head, positivedrive means to move the driving rolls in synchronism, said drive meansincluding yieldable means to drive the takeup spindle, and camming meansincluding intermediate motion transmitting means to actuate said presserblocks to hold abrasive strips in contact with the stock and to operatesaid positive drive means to move said strip when the presser blocks arereleased.

4. In a device of the character described, a rotary abrasive headincluding a pair of spindles for supporting unwinding rolls of unusedabrasive strips positioned in diametrically opposed counterbalancedrelation with respect to the rotary axis of the head, a pair of takeupspindles for used portions of the strip positioned in diametricallyopposed counterbalanced relation with respect to the rotary axis of thehead, a pair of driving rolls positioned in diametrically opposedcounterbalanced relation, each of said driving rolls being disposedbetween an unwinding spindle and a takeup spindle, an idler rolldisposed on each side of each driving roll to efiectively hold a portionof strip from the adjacent unwinding spindle and a portion of stripbeing fed to the adjacent takeup spindle in frictional contact with eachof said driving rolls, whereby the strip from each unwinding roll willbe moved intermittently by said driving roll to a takeup roll inopposite parallel directions, a pair of oppositely disposed pressureblocks rockably mounted on radially adjustable pivoted rocker arms tohold said abrasive strips in operative contact with stock positioned atthe rotary axis of the head, means to actuate said driving rolls to movesucceeding portions of unused strip into position to be held against thestock by said presser blocks, and means to move the presser blocks tohold said strip and to release the presser blocks for movement of theabrasive strip.-

5. In a device of the character described, a rotary abrasive headincluding a pair of spindles for supporting unwinding rolls of unusedabrasive strips positioned in diametrically opposed counterbalancedrelation with respect to the rotary axis of the head, a pair of takeupspindles for used portions of the strip positioned in diametricallyopposed counterbalanced relation with respect to the rotary axis of thehead, a pair of driving rolls positioned in diametrically c'lposedcounterbalanced relation, each of said driving rolls being disposedbetween an unwinding spindle and a takeup spindle, an idler rolldisposed on each side of each driving roll to respectively hold aportion of strip from the adjacent unwinding spindle and a portion ofstrip being fed to the adjacent takeup spindle in frictional contactwith each'of said driving rolls, whereby the strip from each unwindingroll will be moved intermittently by said driving roll to a takeup rollin opposite parallel directions, and means to hold a portion of saidabrasive strips in engagement with the stock including means toprogressively turn said driving rolls to advance portions of unusedstrip into position to be thus held.

6. In a device of the character described, a rotary abrasive headincluding a pair of spindles for supporting unwinding rolls of unusedabrasive strips positioned in diametrically opposed counterbalancedrelation with respect to the rotary axis of the head, a pair of takeupspindles for used portions of the strip positioned in diametricallyopposed counterbalanced relation with respect to the rotary axis of thehead, feeding means to progressively transfer strips from each unwindingroll to a takeup roll in equal amounts to maintain said counterbalancedcondition, presser block means intermediate said unwinding and takeuprolls to hold unused strip in engagement with the surface of the stock,and means to intermittently actuate said feeding means to move unusedstrip into engagement with the surface of the stock.

7. In a device of the character described, a rotary abrasive headincluding a pair of spindles for supporting unwinding rolls of unusedabrasive strips positioned in diametrically opposed counterbalancedrelation with respect to the rotary axis of the head, a pair of takeupspindles for used portions of the strip positioned in diametricallyopposed counterbalanced relation with respect to rotary axis of thehead, a pair of driving rolls positioned in diametrically opposedcounterbalanced relation, each of said driving rolls being disposedbetween an unwinding spindle and a takeup spindle, an idler rolldisposed on each side of each driving roll to respectively hold aportion of strip on the adjacent unwinding spindle and a portion ofstrip being fed to the adjacent takeup spindle in frictional contactwith each of said driving rolls, whereby the strips from each unwindingroll will be intermittently moved by said driving roll to a takeup rollin opposite parallel directions, a pair of oppositely disposed presserblocks to hold said abrasive strips in operative contact with alongitudinal surface of stock positioned between said strips means toactuate said presser blocks to hold abrasive strips in contact with thestock and to operate said positive drive means to move said strips whenthe presser blocks are released.

8. In a device of the character described, a rotary abrasive headincluding a pair of spindles for supporting unwinding rolls of unusedabrasive strips positioned in diametrically opposed counterbalancedrelation with respect to the rotary axis of the head, a pair of takeupspindles for used portions of the strip positioned in diametricallyopposed counterbalanced relation with respect to the rotary axis of thehead, a pair of driving rolls positioned in diametrically opposedcounterbalanced relation, each of said driving rolls being disposedbetween an unwinding spindle and a takeup spindle, an idler rolldisposed on each side of each driving roll to respectively hold aportion of strip from the adjacent unwinding spindle and a portion ofstrip being fed to the adjacent takeup spindle in frictional contactwith each of said driving rolls, whereby the strip from each unwindingroll will be intermittently moved from said driving roll to a takeuproll in opposite parallel directions, a pair of oppositely disposedpresser blocks to hold said abrasive strips in operative contact with alongitudinal surface of stock positioned between said strips, positivedrive means to move the driving rolls in synchronism, and means toactuate said driving rolls to move succeeding portions of said stripinto position to be held against the stock by'said presser blocks, tohold said strip and to release the presser blocks for movement of theabrasive strip.

9. In a device of the character described, a rotatable carrier, a pairof unwinding rolls and a pair of takeup rolls for pairs of abrasivestrips supported on said carrier to engage opposite sides of stock to bemoved axially with respect to the carrier, including means to feed'unused stripsinto area of engagement of the stock and to counterbalancethe variation of the weights of the unwinding and takeup rolls with theused and unused strips respectively, resulting from the feeding of saidstrip, and apair .of oppositely disposed radially movable pressermembers positioned respectively behind each of said strips to press saidstrips into engagement with the stock, the opposing faces of saidpresser members comprisingresilient material having a lateral widthsubstantially greater than the thickness of the stock and being providedwith a longitudinally extending circular channel portion to conformgenerally with the configuration of the stock, the bottom of eachchannel having a V-shaped longitudinally extending groove, said facesincluding outwardly converging inclined wing portions disposed on each'side of the channel portion, whereby said abrasive strips will befrictionally gripped on opposite sides of the stock'first by theextremity of said forwardly inclined wing when said presser members aremoved toward each other, and whereby further movement of said pressermembers will cause laterally outward distortion of said wing portions todraw said strips into engagement with the stock under tension, said wingportions being further yieldable under said continued movement to permitthe channel portions to bear against the back of the strips partiallyenclosing the-stock.

10. In a device of the character described, a rotatable carrier, meansto support unwinding rolls and takeup rolls for pairs of abrasive stripsto engage opposite sides of stock to be moved axially with respect tothe carrier, including means to feed unused strip into the area ofengagement with the stock and to counterbalance the variation in theweights of unwinding and takeup rolls of unused and used stripsrespectively resulting from said feeding of strip, and a pair ofoppositely disposed radially movable presser members to be positionedrespectively behind each of said strips to press said strips into saidengagement with the stock, the opposing faces of said presser memberscomprising material having longitudinally extending wing portionsextending laterally on each side of the stock, the lateral extremitiesof said wing portions projecting forwardly on the longitudinallyextending central portion, whereby said abrasive strips will befrictionally gripped on opposite sides of the stock first by saidextremities when the presser members are moved toward each otherandfurther inward movement of said presser member will cause lateraloutward distortion of said opposing faces to draw said strips intoengagement with the stock under tension.

11. In an apparatus for helically scoring the surface of stock, thecombination comprising a rotatable carrier, means to position said stockconcentrically with the axis of rotation of said carrier, means tosupport a roll of abrasive strip material on said carrier, means on saidcarrier to hold successive portions of said abrasive .strip against thesurface. of the stock for scoring said surface by rotation of saidcarrier, intermediate feeding means onsaid carrier to advance freshportions of said abrasive strip and to counterbalance said unwindingroll as said strip is unwound therefrom, and means to move said 16stock. axially. duringengagement with .said. abrasive strip material.

12. In machinery for treating thesurface of cylindrical metal stock, thecombination including replenishable abrading-meansand means to producerelative revoluble movementbetweenstdck tobe treated and said abradingmeans,-and means-to operatively engage saidabrading means with thecylindrical surface of the stock to revolubly some said surface and tointermittently actuate said replenishable abrading means step-by-stepduring said relative revoluble motion between the stock and the abradingmeans. '7

13. In machinery for treating the surface of cylindrical metal stock,the combination "including replenishable abrading means and means toproduce relative helical movement between stock to .be treated and saidabradingmeans, means to engage said abrading means intermittentlywith'a. step-by-step action with saidv stock to helically. score thecylindrical surface thereof,.and die means to thereafter axially flowthe surface metal of the stock to replace metal removed by scoring,whereby the surface of the. stock.will be smoothed.

14. In machinery for treating the surface of cylindrical metal stock,the combination including replenishable intermittently operatedabrasive. scoring means, means to produce relative compound helicalmovement between stock to be treated and said abrasive scoring means,said compound movement including components of two oppositelyrevolubledirections, means to engage said scoring means with thecylindrical surface of the stock during said compound relative movementtherebetween and means to move said stock axially.

15. In a machine for treating the surface. of cylindrical metal stock,the combination including means to move said stockaxially, and'means toabrasively deliberately score the cylindrical surface of the stock intwo oppositely'helical'directions to form helical grooves therein,andburnishing'die means to axially flow the surface metal of the stockand thereby to smoothing said grooves.

16. In a machine for treating the surface of cylindrical metal stock,the combination including means to move said stock axially, and firstand second stationary means to successively abrasively-helicallyintermittently score the cylindrical surface of the stock, said scoringbeing produced in the same-axial directionby both of said means butsuccessively by each' of said means in opposite circular directions,thecoarseness of the abrasive substance of the first means being'greaterthan that of the second scoring means, whereby the scoring produced bythe first means-will not be obliterated by the scoring produced by thesecond means.

17. In amachinefor treating the surface of cylindrical metal stock,thecombination including means to move said-stock axially, and first-andsecond means to successively abrasively helically score the cylindricalsurface of the stock with an intermittent action, the courseness of theabrasive substance of the first means being greater than that of thesecond means, whereby the-scoring produced by the first means willnot becompletely obliterated by thescoring produced by the second means, andburnishing die means thereafter to axially flow .the cylindrical surfacemetal of thestock to partially smooth said surface.

18. In a method of finishing :the surface. of cylindrical metal stock,the steps includingaxially moving said stock, andv unidirectionallyrevolublyscoring. the surface of the stock with an intermittentlyapplied stationary unused abrasive strip to produce helically scoredgrooves therein, and axially unidirectionally flowing only :the surfacemetal comprising the lands between said scoring to remove said grooves.

19. In a method of finishing the surface of cylindrical metal stock,the. steps including axially moving said stock, and unidirectionallyrevolubly scoring the surface of the stock with an intermittentlyapplied unused stationary unused abrasive strip, and axiallyunidirectionally flowing and burnishing the surface metal comprising thelands between said scoring.

20. In a method of finishing the surface of cylindrica metal stock, thesteps including axially moving said stock, and unidirectionallyrevolubly scoring the surface of the stock with an intermitt'entlyapplied stationary unused abrasive strip, and axially unidirectionallyflowing by burnishing means the surface metal comprising the abrasivestrip into contact with said stock.

1 22. -In a method of finishing the surface of cylindrical stock, thesteps including axially moving said stock, and

scoring the stock with stationary abrasive strip material whilemaintaining continuous relative unidirectional axially helical motiontherebetween, scoring the stock with abrasive strip material whilemaintaining continuous relative unidirectional axially helical motion inopposing circular direction, and' intermittently advancing unusedabrasive strip into contact with said stock.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,105,612 Pallas Jan. 18, 1918 2,191,189 Wade Feb. 20, 1940 2,239,580Statz Apr. 18, 1941 2,293,923 Stewart et al. Aug. 25, 1942 2,365,640Illmer et al. Dec. 19, 1944 2,396,114 Neuerburg' Mar. 5, 1946 2,497,407Green Feb. 14, 1950 2,612,730 Lowe Oct. 7, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 418,5 16Italy Feb. 20, 1947

